WEC postpones Qatar season-opener, F1 races in the spotlight

LONDON, March 3 : The World Endurance Championship (WEC) called off its season-opening race in Qatar on Tuesday as a result of U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and the closure of airports in the region including Doha.

The Qatar 1812km race had been scheduled for March 26-28 at the Lusail International Circuit outside Doha, which is also used by MotoGP and Formula One.

The endurance season, which has the 24 Hours of Le Mans as its showcase event in June, will now start with the Six Hours of Imola at the Italian circuit on April 17-19.

"With the safety and security of competitors, personnel and fans of the utmost importance, the decision has been taken to delay the event," WEC said in a statement.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, an Emirati who heads the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) thanked local organisers and the WEC for "the measured and collaborative approach that has led to this decision. 

"As the opening event of the FIA World Endurance Championship, the Qatar 1812km holds a special place for many fans, drivers and teams alike, and we will work closely with all involved to reschedule the race for later in the 2026 season," he added.

The WEC round was the first major motorsport event in the region to be cancelled since the conflict erupted at the weekend, closing airspace in the Gulf region and causing travel chaos.

FORMULA ONE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are both due to host Formula One races in April and Ben Sulayem said the FIA was monitoring developments across the region.

Iranian missiles struck Doha, Dubai, the Bahraini capital Manama and Saudi Arabia over the weekend.

Bahrain's race is scheduled as the fourth of 24 on the calendar on April 12, with Jeddah the weekend after, and had already sold